2021 Vaccinated Vacation Adventures
It turns out that 2021 was, indeed, better than 2020 in many ways. Granted, the endless working from home and refrigerator access probably hasn’t helped the fit of my wardrobe. Bummer. But in terms of travel, the outlook has become markedly more positive. For those of us lucky to have it, access to the vaccine has definitely opened up more vacation options! The year started with the certainty of… well, uncertainty. But a willingness to be adaptable led to a couple opportunities I wouldn’t have predicted in January. — Sadly, I’ve written exactly zero blog posts in recent months, which means I’ve written nothing about the international trips I was…
U.S. National Parks: A Lifetime of Domestic Bliss
A recent post about a more thoughtful, intentional approach to travel left out a massive United States-sized hole in my personal bucket list. But of course I don’t think this country lacks for spectacular, noteworthy destinations! There are many amazing places here that I still hope to visit, and most of them are public lands. Despite there being some great cities in the U.S., those urban centers are no match for the grandeur of our greatest National Parks. What’s in a Name? Okay, let’s be really clear about something. Because titles might confuse people. There are 63 “National Parks” in the National Park System. But there are hundreds of properties…
The Inexperienced Hiker’s Guide to the Grand Canyon
What is a long day hike into the Grand Canyon really like? How should someone prepare for the rim to river hike? What should my fitness level be? These are legitimate questions that should be considered if someone is about to attempt an arduous hike into the Grand Canyon. If you’re an experienced hiker with plenty of challenging hikes under your belt, I might not have much insight to offer you. But if you’re new to the desert southwest and/or long, grueling day hikes? I’m your girl! I have already made the ill-advised missteps, and I’m happy to share them with you. Whether this is “for your information” or just…
Four Pass Loop: Backpacking in the Maroon Bells Wilderness
Four Pass Loop is a 27-mile path encircling the Maroon Bells as it snakes over four mountain passes. It is an exploration of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area – filled with wildflowers, beautiful views, and the occasional mountain goat. We backpacked the loop over three challenging, but rewarding, days. Why Four Pass Loop? Colorado is something of a wilderness wonderland, isn’t it? There are 58 different “14ers” and more than 40 national wilderness areas! Some are more popular and/or accessible from cities. There are varying levels of seclusion and trail difficulty. If you’re going to plan an outdoor adventure in Colorado, the options can be overwhelming. We were going to…
